farmer



APPLICATION FILED IAN. II, |918.

Patented June 3, 1919.

3 SHEETS-SHEET l W W A R, a f w SR a ff .a QI @d O Q` xi QN O Nm W NSY n I" /f I 3. L .H *IIIII I IIN Q I III I 11111 I I. -II II I I I FI- .I im I w .I I I mw I f A O www w ww. @N @N o W I QI vw am. IHWIWIW \$I www u I N www i r. H. FARMER. INTERNAL DRIVE HEAR AXLE FOR MOTOR TRUCKS.

APPLICATION FILED IAN. I l. 1918.

Patented June 3, 1919.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

m: mmm: ruses cn.. manu 1m;n asuma om uv I.

F. H. FARMER. INTERNAL DR|VE REAR RxLE FUR MOTOR TRUCKS.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 1i. 191B.

Patented June 3, 1919.

3 SHElTS--S HE ET 3.

UNITED STATES PATEN T OFFICE.

FRANK II. FARMER, or CLEVELAND, OHIO, AssIGNoE 'ro THE WHITE MOTOR COMPANY, or CLEVELAND, OHIO, A CORPORATION OF OHIO.

INTERNAL-DRIVE BEAR AXI FOR ILVO'JI(JR-TRUCKS.V

Application led January 11, 1918.

To all whom` it may concern d lle it known that I, FRANK H. FARMER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Cleveland, the county of ICuyahtoga and State of Ohio, have inventedE a certain. new and useful Improvenient in Internal-Drive Rear Axles for Motor-Trucks, o-f which the following is a full, clear, and exact description.

This invention relates to what are known in the trade as internal drive rear driving axles, such as areq particularly adapted Vfor use on heavy powerful motor trucks. Such rear axles include a hollow frange member which has a central enlargement constituting the housing in which the differential mechanism is suitably mounted, and two axle tn bes which extendV in opposite directions from said central housing, andY have traction wheels rotatably mounted upon them. Live axle sections, which are driven differentially by the dilferential-gearing in the housing, extend outward `throu h these axle tubes; reduqingy gearing ispiiovided for transmittingr `motion from said two axle shafts respectively to the two traction wheels.

The present invention relates, in part, vto the construction ofthe hollow axle frame member. It includes means whereby said frame member is adaptedto perlforiii its functions aiidto resist and relnalntoirative under the enormous stresses to wli ch'l it`A is subjected iii practicalnse; but which nevertheless permits said frame member to be of minimum weight for itslstrength, and to`be readily assembled and* disasseiiibled when desired. 1

The invention also relates to the traction wheels and the reducing '.earing which inelose, and by which they are driven5 and to the means for mdilnting said wheels' and gearing, to thepend that the cope ating parts shall be strong, .durable and'e 'ierlt, and to the end also'that the wheel may be readily dismounted when that is desirable for any reasomas for example, to enable one to put on a tire, or to inspect andrepair the Wheel and the inelosedlmech'anism.

In the"drawiiigs, Figilr'e l'is rear1 elevation partly'seetioned' yof rather more than one halfof a'rl'ear'Y axle, which embodie'sthe invention; that is to say,this view shows the central differential housing and the 'mechanism on the left side thereofl It is to be understood, however, that all of the' mech- Speciication of Letters Patent.

Patented J une 3, 1919.

serial No. 211,447.

:nism shown as on the left side of this differential housing is duplicated on the right side thereof to form the complete axle. Fig. 2 ,is a left end view of the axle when the wheel has been removed therefrom. Fig. 3 is a plan view ofthe `left end of the axle, when said wheel has been removed therefrom, and with a )art of the brake drum broken away; and Fig, @is a transverse sectional view in the plane indicated by line 1 4 on Fig. 1.

The `axle includes a hollow axle frame member which consists of three main parts, viz.: the middl'c part and two ends. The middle part includes the differential housifng 70 and two tubes 71 which extend there* `r'om laterally in opposite directions. Each member onsists of a tube l0 which carries a gear cage o n its outer end,

Each tube 1Q is telescoped into a tube T1 iniwhich Ait fits nicely, and with which there is a tongue and groove connection which re'vcnts iielative rotary niotioit Specifically, the iimcii tube near its inner end is forn'ied .with longitudinal splines and grooves 11 which engage and interlock with conlplementary longitudinal splines and .rlooves T2 on the ilinei: face (if the outer tube Tl. The pbsition of each of these telescoping tubes 10 lengthwise within tube 71 is determined nby a key piece 8O which goes through' a holeiin `the (inter tube and fits a liol'l?, Ain the inner tube. This keyquiece hills a fiaiige 81 on its oriiter end which rests upon Athe outerl tube and is secured thereto by' capscrbws 82 or L the like".y When the three partsofthe hollow axle frame member are assembled `and'connected as stated, said' frame member constitutes a strong, rigidstructuiid But it may be easily taken anduepaired if any partI chances to break, or'l ify for any reason repairing is desirable.

As stated, each inner tube l0 carries in its outer end agear cage. One part 1lof said gelar cage is integral with the tube. The other p'art 20`of said cage is a plate which is secured to thel part 14 in para lel relation thereto. This p'ate Q0 is formed with a spaeing' flange which, by engaging the p rt l? determines the nositlon of ythe plate Elwit i respect thereto. Bolts 24 rigidly secure the late 20 to the part 14, thereby forming tie complete gear cage. The plate 20 has,'howe\'er, anoutwardly extended cylindrical'bo'ss 21 which` is concentric with the tube 10, the purpose of which will be presently described.

An axle shaft 12 extends from the differ4 cntial housing 7() outward through earlrof the tubes l() into the gear cage. A pinion 22 is perinanentl" fixed to this axle shaft within the gear rage. The axle shaft is rotatably supported upon the gear cage by means of two anti-friction ring bearings located respectively on opposite sides ot sani pinion. The innr ring 27 of one ring bearin is fitted on the shaft 12 in contar-t with a ange 12a thereon, while the outer ring 2G of said bearing is fitted within a cylindrical recess in the outer face of the part 14. The outer ring 3G of the other ring bearing -is fitted in a concentric cylindrical recess` in the inner face of the plate 20, while the in ner ring 37 of' the bearing is fitted upon a cylindrical part of the axle shaft 12. A nut 8*) which screws onto the extreme end of this axle shaft pushes the inner ring bearing 37 against the hub of the pinion 2 2 and pushes this hub against the inner ring 2T and thereby holds all of thi se parts in the proper relationship as shown.

The Wheel as shown is formed of two pieces. The center of the Wheel is formed of two oppositely dished plates 41, 45, which, when connected together form an oil and dust-proof chamber in which the reducing gearing which has been explained is housed, and by which it is protected. The plate 41 has a cylindrical flange 42 at its margin, which is concentric with the Wheel. The spokes 51 are integral with and project outwardly from this flan ed plate 41, and the rim 52 is integral with he spokes. The inner plate 45 has an axial hole through which tube 10 passes, and it is cylindrical at its margin, and fitted into the cylindrical flange 42. The brake drum 46 is formedl integral with plate 45. An internal ringr gear 49 is fitted into the fiange 42 between plates 41 and 45 and these two parts are connected together by cap screws 48 or the like.

The plate 45 is rotatably' mounted on tube 10 by means of an annular ball bearing which, per se, is of familiar form. The inner rin G3 of said bearing is secured on tube 10glietvveen a Shoulder 62 thereon and a nut 64 which screws onto said tube. The outer ring G1 of said bearing is nicely fitted into a cylindrical recess 60 in the inner face of plate 45. A Washer 44 of felt or the like is fitted into a groove in the circular Wall of the hole in yplate 45, through Which the tube passes, so as to have a sliding engagement with said tube and form an oil and dust tight joint. The outer plate 41 of the Wheel is likewise rotatably supported by an anti-friction ring bearing upon the cylindrical stud 21 of the gear cage. The outer ring 66 of this bearing is nicely fitted into the cylindrical recess 65 in the inner face of the plate 41,

while the inner ring 67 of said bearing is fitted upon the stud 21 and is held thereon against a shoulder by the nut (3H which screws upon said stud.

From the foregoing it is apparent that the complete wheel is rotatably supported by the hollow axle frame member by means ol' antifriction ring bearings placed in widely separated `positions so as to render said bearings most effective.

An idler gear 1G which is rotatably mounted in the ear cage on stud 18 with the intermediategiy placed anti-friction rollers 17, meshes with pinion 22 and with the internal ring gear 49. Therefore as the axle shaft 12 is rotated by the differential gearing in the axle housing 70 the Whccl will be rotated but at a very much reduced speed.

Each tube 71 is foi-med adjacent its outer end with two integral bracket arms 7G. The brake supporting bracket goes over the outer end oi tube 71, and secured rigidly to the bracket arms by screws or bolts. Any suitable brahe and brake operating mechanism may be mounted on the brake supporting bracket. Since the brake mechanism is carried by the outer tubes 71, the application ot the brake does not apply to the structure any strain tending to turn the inner tube within the outer tube. The described means for supportinnthe brake mechanism has been made the subject of another application, Serial No. 289856, filed April 14,1919.

When for any reason it is desired to remove the wheel it is only necessary to unscrew the cap screws 48, whereupon said wheel and internal ring gear may be Withdrawn. This leaves plate 45 with its brake drum 4G in the osition shown, and leaves the annular bal still rotatably mounted upon the axle tube; this enables one to get at and inspect and repair any of the mechanism which is normally inelosed Within the hollowchamber 5() in the Wheel. Heavy truck Wheels generally have applied to them solid tires for the application of which it is necessary to employ a ponderous machine into which the Wheel must be placed. In other Words, it is desirable to remove the Wheel from the vehicle in order that such tires may be a plied. The facility With Which the Whee s described may be so removed is a very desirable feature.

Having described my invention, I claim :H

1. In a driving axle for a motor truck, the combination of a hollow axle frame member having a centrally placed di`erential housing and tWo alined tubes which project therefrom in opposite directions, and associated with each of the last named tubes, a tube which telescopes into the same and has a longitudinal tongue and groove connection therewith, and a key which, passes throu h the outer tube and is secured externally t creto and engages the inner tube to fix the position of said tubes longitudinally with respect to one another.

2. In a driving axle for a motor truelnthe combination of a nonfrotatable Iaxle t11b,.a gear cage fixedly rarried by lthe water end of said .axle tube and having an outwardly extended concentric stud, a rotatable axle shaft ,extending out througheaiol J,axle tube and into said .geareage, a pinion iixed to said axle shaft .within said gear cage, an nular ball bearings by .whieh said axle shaft is supported by .the gear cage on both sides of said pinion, an idler gear mounted in said ,gear cage in mesh with .said pinion, a traction :wheel `formed .with ,a dished outer plate having at its outer ,margin an .annular cylindrical (ian-ge outside of that the outer ortion of a wheel, andan oppositely dishecf3 inner plate `WhichefitsJeri-thin .Said eylindrical fflange, an internal ring gear 4which also fits within said cylindrical Jfiange between said dished plates, means to @firmly seeuretogether said ring gear and two plates, an annular ball bearing located ,within the central eli-amber vwithin the wheel by means of which the innerdished plate is mounted on said axleftube, and aseeondennular ball bearing :located Jwithin said .chamber by means of which-the outerdished plate of the wheel isretatebly mounted on theoutwardly extended cylindrical stud which :isa partici they-gear cage.

3. yIn a driningaxlefoin amotor truck, the combination of a nonwotatable axle tube, a gear cage fixed tothe outer endof said axle tube and having on its outer side an outA wardly projecting concentric cylindrical stud, a rotatable axle shaft extending out through said axle tube and iimtosaid `gear cage, a pinionfxed to saidy axleehia'ft .within said gear cage, `anti-:friction -ri-ng bearings supportedb- `said gear cage andapplied to said axle aft on opposite Sides `of the pinionthereonfan idle-ry gear mountedin. said gear cage inlmeshl with said pinion, a traction wheel whose renter-.part is fforniedhy two oppositely dished plates which arejsopa rably secured togetherV near their lmargin, one of said plates being rotatably supported by .antifjrietion bearings upon said axle tube inside of the gear cage and the other being rotatably supported by means ofantiffriction bearings bythe eylindriealstnd on the outer end of said gear cage, one of said plates being provided at its outer margin with al cylindricaliiange and having Wheel spokes and a wheel rim integral with said flange and. the other of said plates being fitted into said cylindrical flange, a rin gear which is also fitted in said cylindrical ange between said plates, and means to firmly secure together said ring gear and two plates.

4. In a driving axle for a motor truck, the combination of a hollow axle frame member having a centrally placed differential housing and two alined tubes which respectively project from Said housing in op-poslte directions, and, assoeiated with each of said tubes, sul inner tube which `telescopes into the saule an d vis ,rigidly therein ,and which has at Jilolltel eind a `rigidly connected ,gear cage whose outerplate Vis ,provided with an out- .Wardly extended @mammie ,cylindrical i stud, each outer `tube being provided near its end with a bizepket alim, a brake supporting bracket whmh emb-racsssaid ,outer tub@ and Y1s secured by `soumis .or bolts tosaid arm, a traction wheel ,Whose middleman iS 00mpQSedOf LWO 0pposiiteiy dished plates which are secured ,together naar their margins, the outer of said dished plates being formed With a cylindrical liange at its margin and being also formed with integral spokes and um, the inside late Ofsaid tube being row tatably mountedupon that part of the in 11er telescoping tube which `lies between said gear cage and outer telescoping tube, which inner plate is of cylindrical forni at its periphery and fitted into the cylindrical flange of the outside plate and has ,a brake drum formed integrally thereon near 1its margin, an internal ring gear also fitted within said cylindrical flange between the two plates, bolts or screws for ,securing together said JWO platesand interposed ringvgear, an anti- 9.5

friction ring bearing located within the spa@ inelnsed by the two dished plat/GS, which mns bearing issunnorted on the outwardly proJecting Astud 4eax-,fried by the` gear Gage and supports the outer dished plate, an y ax e shaft which projects out through the axle tube into gear page, `anti,-Lfriction ring bearingsby means of which said axle shaft .is rotatably supported by said @er eage on opposite sides of' said pinion, an an idler `gear rotatably ,mounted in said 4geef cage in mesh with said pinionfeiyd said ring ear.

5. n a `driving axle for a motor truck, the combination of abuilt uphollow frame member haring a dififelieintial ho-using and `two axle tubeswhioh extend inppposite drections therefrom, a gear ycage ywhich is rigidly conneeted with `-the enter end .Ofeach axle tube and has an outwardly projecting concentric cylindriealstnd `and the following .meehanism associated with each end of said vhollow axle iframe membento-wit: a traction wheel whose middle part is ,formed ,of two oppositely dished plates which are connected together to form a central chamber Aand which are formed each with a concentric cylindrical recess in its inner face, an annular ball hearing of which the inner ring is fixed upon the axle tube inside of the gear cage and the outer ring is fitted in said annular recess in the inner plate, an annular ball bearing of which the outer ring is slidably fitted into the cylindrical recess of the outside plate and the inner ring is fixed upon the gear cage stud, an axle shaft which extends through the axle tube from the dit ferential housing into the gear cage, a pinion fixed to said shaft within said gear cage, two annular' ball bearings yinterposed re spectively between said gear cage and axle shaft on both sides of said pinion, a concentric internal ring gear secured to the said wheel within the central chamber thereof, and an idler gear mounted on said gear cage in mesh with said pinion and ring gear.

6. In a driving axle for a motor truck, the combination of a non-rotatable axle tube, a gear cage fixedly carried by the outer end of said axle tube and having an out wardly extended concentric cylindical stud, a rotatable axle shaft extending out through said axle tube and into said gear cage, a pinion fixed to said axle shaft within said gear cage, two annular ball bearings by which said axle shaft is supported by the gear cage on both sides of said pinion, an idler gear mounted in said gear cage in mesh with said pinion, a traction wheel whose central portion is formed of an outside dished plate having at its outer margin an annular cylindrical fiange and outside of that the outer portion of a wheel, and an oppositely dished inner plate which fits within said cylindrical flange, an internal ring gear which fits within said cylindrical flange between said dished plates, means to firmly secure together said ring gear and two plates, an annular ball bearing whose outer ring is slidably fitted into an annular internal recess in the inside plate and whose inner ring is fixed upon said axle tube, and a second annular ball bearing whose outer ring is slida'bly fitted into a cylindrical recess in the inner face of the outer dished plate and whose inner ring is fixed upon the cylindrical stud which is a part of the gear cage.

7. In a'driving axle for a motor truck, the combination with the non-rotatable axle tube, a gear cage which is fixed to the outer end thereof and has an outwardly extended co-axial stud, a wheel whose central portion is formed of two oppositely dished plates, of which the outer plate is formed with a marginal cylindrical flange, and with wheel spokes which extend outward from said flange, the inner of said dished plates being fitted into said cylindrical flange, which two plates are connected together to form a central chamber within the wheel, two annular ball bearings within the central chamber formed by said dished plates, one of which is supported on the axle tube and supports the inside dished plate and the other of which is supported on saidstud and supports the outside dished plate, an axle shaft extending through said axle tube into the chamber within said wheel, and means withing said chamber for transmitting motion from said axle shaft to said wheel.

8. In a driving axle for a motor truck, the combination of a built-up hollow frame member having a differential housing, two axle tubes which extend in opposite directions therefrom, and a gear cage which is rigidly connected with the outer end of each axle tube and has an outwardly projecting co-axial cylindrical stud, with the following mechanism associated with each end of said hollow axle frame member, to wit, a traction wheel whose middle part is formed of two oppositely dished plates which are connected together to form a central chamber and which are formed each with a concentric cylindrical recess in its inner face, an annular ball bearing, of which the inner ring is fixed upon the axle tube inside of the gear cage and the outer ring is fitted in said annular recess in the inner plate, an annular ball bearing of which the outer ring is slidably fitted in the cylindrical recess of the outside plate, and the inner ring is fixed upon the gear cage stud,-the outer of said dished plates being formed at its margin with a cylindrical flange and with spokes extending outward from said flange, and the inner of said dished plates being fitted within said cylindrical flange, a ring gear which is also fitted within said cylindrical flange between the two dished plates, means connecting together said two dished plates and ring gear, an axle shaft which extends through said axle tube, and gearin within said central chamber for transmitting Inotion from said axle shaft to said traction wheel.

In testimony whereof, I hereunto affix my signature.

FRANK H. FARMER.

Witnesses H. CRowELL PEPPER, FANNIE F. PHILLIPS.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for iive cents each, by addressing the "Commissioner ot Patents,

' Washington, 1l. C." 

